Delhi must bite the bitter pill

The year 2025 has just come to an end and leaves Delhi’s citizens with several issues to ponder over and work upon towards improvement in 2026. Air Pollution in Delhi NCR is easily amongst the top issues requiring urgent attention and due redressal. The Government of Delhi is seized of the issue and has undertaken various measures. However, there is a ne e d to simultaneously undertake multiple initiatives to bring about a quick turnaround.

Transportation is the largest source of air pollution in Delhi, contributing 18-39 per cent to the city’s pollution, followed by Road Dust which contributes 18 to 38 per cent, and industries which contribute 2 to 29 per cent. Power plants contribute about 3-11 per cent of Delhi’s pollution and the fifth largest source is construction (8 per cent). As President Emeritus, International Road Federation (IRF), a global road safety body working for better and safer roads worldwide, I would like to suggest a few practical and workable solutions to the Government of Delhi and its Pollution Control Board, as well as the Central Pollution Control Board, to tackle hazardous air pollution.

Advertisement

To ensure a sustainable planet for future generations, emphasis should be on cutting off pollutants at the source rather than looking at quick-fix and short-term solutions. Tackling the air pollution menace is not about the number of plans but in the proper implementation and monitoring of the measures adopted. Coordination between Delhi and its surrounding States is critical to forge effective and long-lasting solutions. As mature and experienced administrators and professionals, it is time to act – to take up priority measures including promoting ways and means of cutting down on use of fossil fuels and investing in electrical power and solar power.

Keeping high-polluting vehicles away from cities is essential. Well-conceived and operational public transportation systems are needed to support the metro, and bus services. Better maintenance and traffic management of roads is needed to reduce travel time. Controlling air pollutant emissions from power plants by adopting tail pipe treatment technologies needs to be taken up immediately and completed on priority. Providing incentives to brick kilns for adopting zigzag technology within a fixed tenure of say one year is vital and those who do not do so should be closed down. Penalties must be enforced on construction sites for not following pollution control measures.

Efficient waste management covering all waste, providing necessary guidance and the budget, and imposition of heavy penalties on burning of garbage must be adopted within the next 6 to 9 months. Proper and effective control on polluting industries and assisting them with technological solutions is vital. To achieve this, financial assistance at low interest rates should be made available. Any industry found not to be taking corrective action should be closed down. We must promote use of technologies in the agricultural sector to dissuade farmers from burning agricultural stubble. Development of Green Corridors along roads, vertical gardens on tall buildings, and implementation of enhanced parking rates in graded air pollution scenarios to discourage use of vehicles are other steps that must be taken.

Adoption of international best practices – ranging from congestion pricing to deployment of suitable and effective strategies to continually monitor and contain air pollution– must be explored. We must identify and replicate Vehicle Free Zones such as the Karol Bagh market area. Data transparency would enable all elements of the society to participate in achieving environmental objectives of clean air. Engaging the public and all stakeholders to strengthen environmental protection measures is crucial. We are conf ident that the implementation of these measures simultaneously and monitored for effectiveness, will bring relief.

(The writer is President Emeritus, International Road Federation.)